Early learning and childcare
Early learning and childcare is education and care for young children, delivered in a caring and nurturing setting.
Early learning and childcare settings offer education and childcare to children up to school age, they can be operated by the council, private businesses, voluntary organisations, or childminders.
Eligible 2 year olds and all 3 and 4 year olds may apply to have up to 1140 hours of funded Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) a year. 1140 hours is roughly the same amount of time as primary school hours when the hours are taken over term time.
You do not have to pay for funded Early Learning and Childcare, but you may wish to purchase additional hours at providers that offer this service.
ELC makes a big difference to children and boosts what they learn at home.
Benefits for children:
- improves language and social skills
- encourages your child to learn and play with other children
- helps them in their learning journey with benefits that they take forward into school
- provides a wide range of experience to excite and interest them
- encourages your child to be physically active whilst playing with other children
- lets your child lead their own learning and go at their own pace
Benefits for parents:
- gives parents the time to train, study or work
- provides time during the day to get other things done
- offers parents extra time to look for work or increase their working hours
- can give you ideas for fun learning experiences to try at home
- helps to support your child's learning and development at home
- is perfect for meeting other parents and sharing ideas
Your entitlement
In Dumfries and Galloway children can access up to 1140 hours per year depending on your child's start date. You will be able to access funded Early Learning and Childcare at a provider of your choice depending on availability.
The way that services will operate currently cannot be the same in every setting due to the variety of different buildings and outdoor spaces that our nurseries and childcare settings operate out of. Services must take account of the national guidance and they have put plans in place for children to attend Early Learning and Childcare safely.
You can take the hours over term time (38 weeks per year), or all year round. The maximum hours available in most school nurseries per week is 30 hours.
- Children can access no more than 10 funded hours in any one day.
- All children accessing funded hours over lunch time may receive a free meal.
Most children start school between 4 years 6 months and 5 years old but it's possible to start children later in certain circumstances. These children may be entitled to an extra year of funded early learning and childcare.
Choosing a provider
You can send your child to the provider of your choice. You can find the list of providers below.
You're welcome to arrange visits to providers to find out what is on offer before making your choice (The current situation may not allow this).
Search childcare provider inspection reports
Blended placements
Blended placements (defined as arrangements where children are attending two or more settings), should be avoided, but may be permitted where absolutely necessary. If you require a blended placement, please speak to your providers directly.
This position is based on the latest public health advice and may be reviewed as advice continues to develop.
Further information
You can find out more through our Early Learning and Childcare Expansion Plan which takes account of the National guidance and is underpinned by the principles of quality, flexibility, accessibility, and affordability.
The plan sets out the local context and outlines how 1140 hours of nursery provision will be delivered within Dumfries and Galloway once this becomes a statutory duty.
You can also email EarlyYearsSupport@dumgal.gov.uk to find out more.
Paying for additional hours
You may wish to pay for additional hours over and above your funded entitlements if they are available.
You may qualify for support with childcare costs in certain circumstances:
- Read Scottish Government guidance on the help that's available with childcare costs
- Use the GOV.UK calculator to get an idea of the help you could get with childcare costs
- Find out more about the Tax-Free Childcare Scheme
Scottish Child Payment
This new benefit will open on Monday 15 February 2021. It's a payment for families on certain benefits or tax credits.
Eligible families will get £40 every four weeks for each child under six.
Find out more at mygov website or call us on 0800 182 2222.
Best Start Grant
Best Start Grants is a Scottish Government scheme which awards 3 cash payments to parents and carers. You can apply if:
- you are a parent or carer
- if you have a child who is the right age for a payment
- if you're in work or not but as long as you are on certain payments or tax credits
You can find out more and apply through the mygov.scot website
Find a provider
We have published a list of council nurseries, other settings and childminders who are registered to provide the funded provision in Dumfries and Galloway. This provider list will be updated regularly.
Annandale and Eskdale
- Council nurseries in Annandale and Eskdale
- Other funded settings in Annadale and Eskdale
- Childminders in Annandale and Eskdale
Nithsdale
Stewartry
- Council nurseries in the Stewartry
- Other funded settings in the Stewartry
- Childminders in the Stewartry
Wigtownshire
Annandale and Eskdale
Council nurseries in Annandale and Eskdale
Name | Address | Contact |
Beattock Nursery | Beattock Primary, Beattock, DG10 9RB | gw08officebeattock@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Canonbie Nursery | Canonbie Primary, Canonbie, DG14 0XA | gw08officecanonbie@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Eastriggs Nursery | Eastriggs Primary, Eastriggs, DG12 6PZ | gw08officeeastriggsp@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Gretna Nursery | Gretna Primary, Gretna, DG16 5AG | gw08officegretna@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Hecklegirth Nursery | Hecklegirth Primary, Annan, DG12 6HY | gw08officehecklegirt@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Hoddom Nursery | Hoddom Primary, Ecclefechan, DG11 3DS | gw08officehoddom@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Langholm Nursery | Langholm Primary, Langholm, DG13 0BL | gw08officelangholmp@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Lochmaben Nursery | Lochmaben Primary, Lochmaben, DG11 1NR | gw08officelochmabenp@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Lockerbie Nursery | Lockerbie Primary, Lockerbie, DG11 2AT | gw08officelockerbiep@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Moffat Nursery | Moffat School, Moffat, DG10 9QF | gw08officemoffat@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Newington Nursery | Newington Primary, Annan, DG12 6LA | gw08officenewington@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Other funded settings in Annandale and Eskdale
Name | Address | Contact |
Ace Playgroup | Annan Community Centre, St John's Road, Annan, DG12 6AP | 01461 205953 |
Eastriggs and Dornock Playgroup | Nelson House, Melbourne Avenue, Eastriggs, DG12 6PP | eanddearlyyears@gmail.com |
Jaybees Childcare Ltd | Blacklocks Vennel, Lochmaben, Lockerbie, DG11 1NP | buzzus@jaybeeschildcare.co.uk |
Langholm Playcare Ltd | Community Centre, Charles Street, Langholm, DG13 0AA | langholmplaycare@btconnect.com |
Mid-Annandale Playcare | Harcourt Place, Lockerbie, DG11 2AH | office@mapchildcare.co.uk |
St Columba's Playgroup | Church Hall, Scotts Street, Annan, DG12 6JG | stcolumbasplaygroup@hotmail.co.uk |
Sparklers Private Nursery - Annan | 18 Greencroft Wynd, Annan, DG12 6BG | annan@sparklerspn.co.uk |
Sparklers Private Nursery - Gretna 2 to 5 year olds 7am - 6pm | The Rectory, Annan Road, Gretna, DG16 5DH | gretna@sparklerspn.co.uk |
Wise Owls Nursery 2 to 5 year olds 8am - 6pm | Ivy House, 65-67 High Street, Moffat, DG10 9HG | |
Childminders in Annandale and Eskdale
Name | Address | Contact |
Fiona Burton 2 to 5 year olds 8am - 6pm | Annan | 01461 202766 |
Julie Davidson | Annan | juliedavidson06@hotmail.com |
Lois Lane 2 to 5 year olds 8am - 6pm | Canonbie | |
Lorraine Walker | Annan | lollysharkey@aol.com |
Shona Watret | Annan | shonawatret@gmail.com |
Nithsdale
Council nurseries in Nithsdale
Name | Address | Contact |
3 to 5 year olds 8:30am - 15:30pm | Calside Primary, Dumfries, DG1 4HB | gw08officecalside@ea.dumgal.sch.uk 01387263594 |
Cargenbridge Nursery | Cargenbridge Primary, Dumfries, DG2 8LL | gw08officecargenbrid@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Closeburn Nursery | Closeburn Primary, Closeburn, DG3 5HP | gw08officecloseburn@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Collin Nursery | Collin Primary, Dumfries, DG1 4JE | gw08officecollin@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Georgetown Nursery | Georgetown Primary, Dumfries, DG1 4EJ | gw08officegeorgetown@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Heathhall Nursery | Heathhall Primary, Dumfries, DG1 3QZ | gw10officeheathhall@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Kelloholm Nursery | Kelloholm Primary, Kelloholm, DG4 6QJ | gw08officekelloholm@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Laurieknowe Nursery | Laurieknowe Primary, Dumfries, DG2 7AJ | gw08officelaurieknow@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Lincluden Nursery | Lincluden Primary, Dumfries, DG2 0PU | gw08officelincluden@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Locharbriggs Nursery | Locharbriggs Primary, Dumfries, DG1 1UW | gw08officelocharbrig@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Noblehill Nursery | Noblehill Primary, Dumfries, DG1 3HB | gw08officenoblehill@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
North West Community Campus | Alloway Road, Dumfries, DG2 9DF | gw18officenorthwest@ea.dumgal.sch.uk 01387 245100 |
| St Andrew's Nursery 3 to 5 year olds 8:30am - 15:30pm | St Andrew's Primary, Dumfries, DG1 4EX | gw08officest6@ea.dumgal.sch.uk 01387 273001 |
| St Teresa's Nursery 3 to 5 year olds 8:30am - 15:30pm | St Teresa's Primary, Dumfries, DG2 0DY | gw08officest4@ea.dumgal.sch.uk 01387 255732 |
| Sanquhar Nursery 2 to 5 year olds 8:30am - 15:30pm | Sanquhar Primary, Sanquhar, DG4 6BD | gw08officesanquharpr@ea.dumgal.sch.uk 01659 50275 |
Troqueer Nursery | Troqueer Primary, Dumfries, DG2 7LR | gw08officetroqueer@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Wallace Hall Nursery | Wallace Hall Primary, Thornhill, DG3 5DS | gw08officewallacehal@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Other funded settings in Nithsdale
Name | Address | Contact |
Calderbank Nursery | 16 Laurieknowe, Dumfries, DG2 7AJ | calderbankadmin@icloud.com |
Dunscore Pre-school Centre | The Old School, Dunscore, Dumfries, DG2 0SY | admin@dpsc.org.uk |
First Steps | Heathhall, Dumfries, DG1 3NT | firststepsnursery@aol.co.uk |
Gracie Drew Private Nursery | 5 Robison Drive, Dumfries, DG2 7RR | siobhan@graciedrew.co.uk |
Happy Faces Nursery | 21/25 Calside Road, Dumfries, DG1 4HA | happyfacesnursery1@gmail.com |
Kids Ahoy | 89-93 St Michael's Street, Dumfries, DG1 2PY | info@kidsahoy.co.uk |
Kids Ahoy 2 to 5 year olds 6am - 9:30pm | Moss End Site | admin@kidsahoy.co.uk |
Kinderhouse Nursery | Huntingdon Avenue, Dumfries, DG1 1NQ | info@kinderhousenursery.com |
Little Acorns | Units 4-8, Herries Court, Dumfries, DG1 3TL | l.acorns@btconnect.com |
Malory Day Nursery | 20 Shakespeare Street, Dumfries, DG2 0LA | malorydaynursery@hotmail.co.uk |
Malory House Nursery | 20 Catherine Street, Dumfries, DG1 1JF | malory.nurseries@hotmail.co.uk |
Max Play 2 | NW Resource Centre, Lincluden, Dumfries, DG2 0BX | maxwelltownplaycarenurseries@hotmail.co.uk |
Maxwelltown Playcare | Lochside Road, Dumfries, DG2 OEL | maxwelltownplaycarenurseries@hotmail.co.uk |
Moniaive Playcare | Chapel Street, Moniaive, Thornhill, DG3 4EJ | moniaiveplaycare@gmail.com |
The Orchard Nature Nursery Ltd | Eskdale House, Crichton, Bankend Road, Dumfries, DG1 4UQ | orchardnaturenursery@yahoo.co.uk |
Penpont, Tynron and Keir Playgroup | Penpont Primary School, School Lane, Penpont, DG3 4BH | penpontpreschool@gmail.com |
Playworks | 1 George Street, Dumfries, DG1 1EA | Lynda@playworksdumfries.co.uk |
Childminders in Nithsdale
Name | Address | Contact |
Agnes Green | Lochfoot, Dumfries | anancy0412@outlook.com |
Amy Workman | Dumfries | aworkmanchildminding@gmail.com |
Bonnie Cowperthwaite 2 to 5 year olds Mon, Wed, Thur, Fri 8-5 and Tue 3-5
| Torthorwald, Dumfries | littlewrensmontessori@gmail.com 07506 738667 |
Elizabeth Ritchie | Troqueer, Dumfries | lizzieritchie77@aol.com |
Gemma Findlay | Dumfries | little.gems.enquiries@outlook.com |
Kelly Green 2 to 5 year olds 7am - 6pm | Bankend, Dumfries | |
Liza Woods | Troqueer, Dumfries | lizawoods@hotmail.co.uk |
Louise Hawes | Dumfries | louhawes75@gmail.com |
Marney Brown | Sanquhar | brownmarney6@googlemail.com |
Melissa Thomas 2 to 5 year olds 24 hours | Dumfries | |
Nikki Hatfield 2 to 5 year olds 8am - 6pm
| Troqueer, Dumfries | 07599 809693 |
Rachel Cochrane 2 to 5 year olds 7am - 7pm | Dumfries | |
Shelley Gibson 2 to 5 year olds 8am - 6pm | Dumfries | |
Stewartry
Council nurseries in the Stewartry
Name | Address | Phone number |
Castle Douglas Nursery | Castle Douglas Primary, Castle Douglas, DG7 1JA | gw08officecastle@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Dalbeattie Nursery | Dalbeattie Primary, Dalbeattie, DG5 4HR | gw08officedalbeatti2@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Dalry Nursery | Dalry School, Dalry, DG7 3UX | gw17officedalryps@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Gatehouse Nursery | Gatehouse Primary, Gatehouse, DG7 2JX | gw08officegatehouse@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Kirkcudbright Nursery | Kirkcudbright Primary, Kirkcudbright, DG6 4JT | gw10officekirkcudbri@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Other funded settings in the Stewartry
Name | Address | Phone number |
Crossmichael and Parton Playgroup | Glenlochar Community Centre, Glenlochar, Crossmichael, DG7 2NZ | crossmichaelplaygroup@gmail.com |
Dalbeattie Playgroup | 0 Copland Street, Dalbeattie, DG5 4EX | dalbeattiepg@yahoo.co.uk |
Haugh of Urr Nursery | Hardgate Primary, Haugh of Urr, DG7 3LD | haughofurrnursery@gmail.com |
Johnston Nursery Ltd 2 to 5 year olds 7:30am - 6pm | Former Johnston Primary School, St Mary's Street, Kirkcudbright, DG6 4EG | |
Kelton Nursery | Kelton Church Hall, Kelton, Castle Douglas, DG7 1RU | manager.keltonnursery@gmail.com |
Scruffs Childcare | 3A Station Yard, Oakwell Road, Castle Douglas, DG7 1LA | scruffschildcare@hotmail.co.uk |
Springholm Nursery | Memorial Hall, Springholm, DG7 3LJ | springholmnursery@outlook.com |
Treasure Island Nursery | 15 Queen Street, Castle Douglas, DG7 1HU | manager@treasureislandnursery.co.uk |
Childminders in the Stewartry
Name | Address | Contact |
Angela Glover 2 to 5 year olds 7am - 6pm | Castle Douglas | |
Barbara Greenfield 2 to 5 year olds 7:30am - 6:30pm | Castle Douglas | |
Clare Steele 2 to 5 year olds 7am - 6pm | Laurieston, Castle Douglas | |
Kaighley Cruickshanks 2 to 5 year olds 8am - 6pm | Gatehouse of Fleet, Castle Douglas | |
Scruffs Childcare | Auchencairn | michelle.tranmore@btinternet.com |
Tanya Gardiner 2 to 5 year olds 8:30am - 5:30pm | Castle Douglas | |
Wigtownshire
Council nurseries in Wigtownshire
Name | Address | Phone number |
Belmont Nursery | Belmont Primary, Stranraer, DG9 7BH | gw08officebelmont@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Creetown Nursery | Creetown Primary, Creetown, DG8 7JR | gw08officecreetown@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Drummore Nursery | Drummore Primary, Drummore, DG9 9PY | gw08officedrummore@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Glenluce Nursery | Glenluce Primary, Glenluce, DG8 0JE | gw08officeglenluce@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Kirkcowan Nursery | Kirkcowan Primary, Kirkcowan, DG8 0HP | gw08officekirkcowan@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Park Nursery | Park Primary, Stranraer, DG9 7NW | gw08officepark@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Penninghame Nursery | Penninghame Primary, Newton Stewart, DG8 6HD | gw08officepenningham@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Rephad Nursery | Rephad Primary, Stranraer, DG9 8BW | gw08officerephad@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Sandhead Nursery | Sandhead Primary, Sandhead, DG9 9JD | gw08officesandhead@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Sheuchan Nursery | Sheuchan Primary, Stranraer, DG9 0AL | gw08officesheuchan@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Whithorn Nursery | Whithorn Primary, Whithorn, DG8 8PN | gw08officewhithorn@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Wigtown Nursery | Wigtown Primary, Wigtown, DG8 9JE | gw08officewigtown@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Other funded settings in Wigtownshire
Name | Address | Phone number |
Busy Bees Nursery | Cluaran, London Road, Stranraer, DG9 8BF | fionarichardson50@yahoo.com |
Kirkcolm Under 5s Nursery | Kirkcolm Primary, Kirkcolm, DG9 0NS | gw15doransheather@ea.dumgal.sch.uk |
Minnigaff Community Nursery | Minnigaff Primary, Minnigaff, Newton Stewart, DG8 6PE | minnigaffprimary@btconnect.com |
Port William Playgroup | Port William Primary, Port William, Newton Stewart, DG8 9JX | portwilliamplaygroup@outlook.com |
Childminders in Wigtownshire
Name | Address | Contact | |
Amanda Fairhurst | Whithorn | amandakiltie@live.com | |
Carole Turner | Stranraer | little1rockers@yahoo.co.uk 01776 704274 | |
Carole Westby | Leswalt, Stranraer | carolwestby@googlemail.com | |
Caroline Gamble | Isle of Whithorn | carolinegamble@hotmail.co.uk | |
Catherine Miller | Limeklin, Stranraer | cathy.miller99@btinternet.com | |
Claire Galloway | Stranraer | clairegallo83@gmail.com | |
Emma Dunseith 2 to 5 year olds 7am - 7pm | Stranraer | ||
Fiona Graham | Glenluce | Fionagraham83@aol.com | |
Jayne Kirkby | Castle Kennedy, Stranraer | jaynekirkby@btinternet.com | |
Laura Cannon | Minnigaff, Newton Stewart | lauracannon94@yahoo.co.uk | |
Michelle Wallace | Newton Stewart | amymichelle53@gmail.com | |
Natalie Brawls | Newton Stewart | natyb1991@googlemail.com | |
Shona Herries 2 to 5 year olds 7am - 6pm | Wigtown | ||
Yvonne Taylor | Stranraer | tayloryvonne0@googlemail.com | |
